1
|
Gómez-Fernández H, Alhakim-Khalak F, Ruiz-Alonso S, Díaz A, Tamayo J, Ramalingam M, Larra E, Pedraz JL. Comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art in corneal 3D bioprinting, including regulatory aspects. Int J Pharm 2024; 662:124510. [PMID: 39053675 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
The global shortage of corneal transplants has spurred an urgency in the quest for efficient treatments. This systematic review not only provides a concise overview of the current landscape of corneal morphology, physiology, diseases, and conventional treatments but crucially delves into the forefront of tissue engineering for corneal regeneration. Emphasizing cellular and acellular components, bioprinting techniques, and pertinent biological assays, it explores optimization strategies for manufacturing and cost-effectiveness. To bridge the gap between research and industrial production, the review outlines the essential regulatory strategy required in Europe, encompassing relevant directives, frameworks, and governing bodies. This comprehensive regulatory framework spans the entire process, from procuring initial components to marketing and subsequent product surveillance. In a pivotal shift towards the future, the review culminates by highlighting the latest advancements in this sector, particularly the integration of tissue therapy with artificial intelligence. This synergy promises substantial optimization of the overall process, paving the way for unprecedented breakthroughs in corneal regeneration. In essence, this review not only elucidates the current state of corneal treatments and tissue engineering but also outlines regulatory pathways and anticipates the transformative impact of artificial intelligence, providing a comprehensive guide for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hodei Gómez-Fernández
- NanoBioCel Research Group, Laboratory of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology. Department of Pharmacy and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; AJL Ophthalmic, Ferdinand Zeppelin Kalea, 01510 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
| | - Fouad Alhakim-Khalak
- NanoBioCel Research Group, Laboratory of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology. Department of Pharmacy and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Research Group, 01009 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Networking Research Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Sandra Ruiz-Alonso
- NanoBioCel Research Group, Laboratory of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology. Department of Pharmacy and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Research Group, 01009 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Networking Research Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Aitor Díaz
- AJL Ophthalmic, Ferdinand Zeppelin Kalea, 01510 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
| | - Julen Tamayo
- AJL Ophthalmic, Ferdinand Zeppelin Kalea, 01510 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
| | - Murugam Ramalingam
- NanoBioCel Research Group, Laboratory of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology. Department of Pharmacy and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Research Group, 01009 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Networking Research Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Joint Research Laboratory (JRL) on Bioprinting and Advanced Pharma Development, A Joined Venture of TECNALIA, Centro de investigación Lascaray Ikergunea, Avenida Miguel de Unamuno, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
| | - Eva Larra
- AJL Ophthalmic, Ferdinand Zeppelin Kalea, 01510 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
| | - José L Pedraz
- NanoBioCel Research Group, Laboratory of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology. Department of Pharmacy and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Research Group, 01009 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Networking Research Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Joint Research Laboratory (JRL) on Bioprinting and Advanced Pharma Development, A Joined Venture of TECNALIA, Centro de investigación Lascaray Ikergunea, Avenida Miguel de Unamuno, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Azril A, Huang KY, Liu HY, Liao WA, Liu WL, Hobley J, Jeng YR. Clinical implications of linking microstructure, spatial biochemical, spatial biomechanical, and radiological features in ligamentum flavum degeneration. JOR Spine 2024; 7:e1365. [PMID: 39132509 PMCID: PMC11310575 DOI: 10.1002/jsp2.1365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The ligamentum flavum (LF) degeneration is a critical factor in spinal stenosis, leading to nerve compression and pain. Even with new treatment options becoming available, it is vital to have a better understanding of LF degeneration to ensure the effectiveness of these treatments. Objective This study aimed to provide insight into LF degeneration by examining the connections between various aspects of LF degeneration, including histology, microstructure, chemical composition, and biomechanics. Method We analyzed 30 LF samples from 27 patients with lumbar vertebrae, employing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to link lumbar disc degeneration grades with fibrosis levels in the tissue. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis assessed microstructural alterations in the LF matrix component due to degeneration progression. Instrumented nanoindentation combined with Raman spectroscopy explored the spatial microbiomechanical and biochemical characteristics of the LF's ventral and dorsal regions. Results Our outcomes revealed a clear association between the severity of LF fibrosis grades and increasing LF thickness. XRD analysis showed a rise in crystalline components and hydroxyapatite molecules with progressing degeneration. Raman spectroscopy detected changes in the ratio of phosphate, proteoglycan, and proline/hydroxyproline over the amide I band, indicating alterations in the extracellular matrix composition. Biomechanical testing demonstrated that LF tissue becomes stiffer and less extensible with increasing fibrosis. Discussion Notably, the micro-spatial assessment revealed the dorsal side of the LF experiencing more significant mechanical stress, alongside more pronounced biochemical and biomechanical changes compared to the ventral side. Degeneration of the LF involves complex processes that affect tissue histology, chemical composition, and biomechanics. It is crucial to fully understand these changes to develop new and effective treatments for spinal stenosis. These findings can improve diagnostic accuracy, identify potential biomarkers and treatment targets, guide personalized treatment strategies, advance tissue engineering approaches, help make informed clinical decisions, and educate patients about LF degeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Azril Azril
- Department of Biomedical Engineering National Cheng Kung University Tainan City Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Yuan Huang
- Department of Orthopedics National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine Tainan City Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yi Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering National Cheng Kung University Tainan City Taiwan
| | - Wei-An Liao
- Department of Pathology National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Tainan City Taiwan
| | - Wen-Lung Liu
- Department of Orthopedics National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine Tainan City Taiwan
| | - Jonathan Hobley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering National Cheng Kung University Tainan City Taiwan
| | - Yeau-Ren Jeng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering National Cheng Kung University Tainan City Taiwan
- Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing National Cheng Kung University Tainan City Taiwan
- Medical Device Innovation Center National Cheng Kung University Tainan City Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bao Q, Zhang X, Hao Z, Li Q, Wu F, Wang K, Li Y, Li W, Gao H. Advances in Polysaccharide-Based Microneedle Systems for the Treatment of Ocular Diseases. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2024; 16:268. [PMID: 39136800 PMCID: PMC11322514 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-024-01477-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
The eye, a complex organ isolated from the systemic circulation, presents significant drug delivery challenges owing to its protective mechanisms, such as the blood-retinal barrier and corneal impermeability. Conventional drug administration methods often fail to sustain therapeutic levels and may compromise patient safety and compliance. Polysaccharide-based microneedles (PSMNs) have emerged as a transformative solution for ophthalmic drug delivery. However, a comprehensive review of PSMNs in ophthalmology has not been published to date. In this review, we critically examine the synergy between polysaccharide chemistry and microneedle technology for enhancing ocular drug delivery. We provide a thorough analysis of PSMNs, summarizing the design principles, fabrication processes, and challenges addressed during fabrication, including improving patient comfort and compliance. We also describe recent advances and the performance of various PSMNs in both research and clinical scenarios. Finally, we review the current regulatory frameworks and market barriers that are relevant to the clinical and commercial advancement of PSMNs and provide a final perspective on this research area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingdong Bao
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, People's Republic of China
- College of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, 350002, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhankun Hao
- College of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinghua Li
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, People's Republic of China
- College of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Wu
- College of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaiyuan Wang
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
| | - Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, 350002, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wenlong Li
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China.
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, People's Republic of China.
- College of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hua Gao
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China.
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, People's Republic of China.
- College of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pérez-Rubio P, Vendrell-Flotats M, Romero EL, Enemark-Rasmussen K, Cervera L, Gòdia F, Lavado-García J. Internalization of PEI-based complexes in transient transfection of HEK293 cells is triggered by coalescence of membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans like Glypican-4. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 176:116893. [PMID: 38850653 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Polymer-cationic mediated gene delivery is a well-stablished strategy of transient gene expression (TGE) in mammalian cell cultures. Nonetheless, its industrial implementation is hindered by the phenomenon known as cell density effect (CDE) that limits the cell density at which cultures can be efficiently transfected. The rise in personalized medicine and multiple cell and gene therapy approaches based on TGE, make more relevant to understand how to circumvent the CDE. A rational study upon DNA/PEI complex formation, stability and delivery during transfection of HEK293 cell cultures has been conducted, providing insights on the mechanisms for polyplexes uptake at low cell density and disruption at high cell density. DNA/PEI polyplexes were physiochemically characterized by coupling X-ray spectroscopy, confocal microscopy, cryo-transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Our results showed that the ionic strength of polyplexes significantly increased upon their addition to exhausted media. This was reverted by depleting extracellular vesicles (EVs) from the media. The increase in ionic strength led to polyplex aggregation and prevented efficient cell transfection which could be counterbalanced by implementing a simple media replacement (MR) step before transfection. Inhibiting and labeling specific cell-surface proteoglycans (PGs) species revealed different roles of PGs in polyplexes uptake. Importantly, the polyplexes uptake process seemed to be triggered by a coalescence phenomenon of HSPG like glypican-4 around polyplex entry points. Ultimately, this study provides new insights into PEI-based cell transfection methodologies, enabling to enhance transient transfection and mitigate the cell density effect (CDE).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pol Pérez-Rubio
- Grup d'Enginyeria de Bioprocessos i Biocatàlisi Aplicada, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Meritxell Vendrell-Flotats
- Servei de Microscòpia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Elianet Lorenzo Romero
- Grup d'Enginyeria de Bioprocessos i Biocatàlisi Aplicada, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | | | - Laura Cervera
- Grup d'Enginyeria de Bioprocessos i Biocatàlisi Aplicada, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona 08193, Spain; Serra Hunter Lecturer Professor.
| | - Francesc Gòdia
- Grup d'Enginyeria de Bioprocessos i Biocatàlisi Aplicada, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Jesús Lavado-García
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby Kgs 2800, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Loveless BA, Moin KA, Hoopes PC, Moshirfar M. The Utilization of Brillouin Microscopy in Corneal Diagnostics: A Systematic Review. Cureus 2024; 16:e65769. [PMID: 39211657 PMCID: PMC11361473 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.65769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Corneal biomechanical data has been used since 2005 to screen for keratoconus and corneal ectasia by corneal specialists. Older technology uses force applanation techniques over a 3 mm area in the central cornea, making it highly dependent on extraneous variables and unable to calculate the elasticity of the tissue. Brillouin microscopy is a newer method that uses a natural shift in the frequency of light as it passes through a material. This frequency shift can be used to estimate the viscoelasticity of the tissue. The advantage of Brillouin microscopy is that it can create a full three-dimensional (3D) map of the entire cornea without direct contact. A literature search was conducted using the databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and Ovid regarding the applications of Brillouin microscopy in corneal diagnostics. A final total of 16 articles was included describing the various ex vivo and in vivo studies conducted using Brillouin microscopy. Applications of this technology spanned from keratoconus diagnosis to post-corneal refractive surgery evaluation. All studies evaluated corneal biomechanics and other corneal properties through the quantification of Brillouin frequency shifts. Many of the studies found that this diagnostic device is capable of detecting subtle changes in corneal thickness and biomechanics in keratoconic corneas at a high level of specificity and sensitivity. However, limitations of Brillouin microscopy may include the duration of time required for use and fluctuations in accuracy depending on the corneal hydration state. Future technology seems to be geared toward a combination of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Brillouin microscopy, using OCT as a three-dimensional pupil-tracking modality. Further research and understanding of the technology involved will lead to better care of patients in the field of ophthalmology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bosten A Loveless
- Ophthalmology, Hoopes Vision Research Center, Draper, USA
- Ophthalmology, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ivins, USA
| | - Kayvon A Moin
- Ophthalmology, Hoopes Vision Research Center, Draper, USA
- Ophthalmology, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Cupecoy, SXM
| | | | - Majid Moshirfar
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, USA
- Ophthalmology, Hoopes Vision Research Center, Draper, USA
- Eye Banking and Corneal Transplantation, Utah Lions Eye Bank, Murray, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ramasubbu K, Venkatraman G, Ramanathan G, Dhanasekar S, Rajeswari VD. Molecular and cellular signalling pathways for promoting neural tissue growth - A tissue engineering approach. Life Sci 2024; 346:122640. [PMID: 38614302 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Neural tissue engineering is a sub-field of tissue engineering that develops neural tissue. Damaged central and peripheral nervous tissue can be fabricated with a suitable scaffold printed with biomaterials. These scaffolds promote cell growth, development, and migration, yet they vary according to the biomaterial and scaffold printing technique, which determine the physical and biochemical properties. The physical and biochemical properties of scaffolds stimulate diverse signalling pathways, such as Wnt, NOTCH, Hedgehog, and ion channels- mediated pathways to promote neuron migration, elongation and migration. However, neurotransmitters like dopamine, acetylcholine, gamma amino butyric acid, and other signalling molecules are critical in neural tissue engineering to tissue fabrication. Thus, this review focuses on neural tissue regeneration with a tissue engineering approach highlighting the signalling pathways. Further, it explores the interaction of the scaffolds with the signalling pathways for generating neural tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kanagavalli Ramasubbu
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology-, Vellore 632 014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ganesh Venkatraman
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology-, Vellore 632 014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ganasambanthan Ramanathan
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology-, Vellore 632 014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sivaraman Dhanasekar
- Department of Biotechnology, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar 382007, Gujarat, India
| | - V Devi Rajeswari
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology-, Vellore 632 014, Tamil Nadu, India.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li Q, Sun Y, Zhao H, Zhang F, Guo Y, Chen X, Zhao G. Structure and properties of the acellular porcine cornea irradiated with 60Co-γ and electron beam and its histocompatibility. J Biomed Mater Res A 2024; 112:825-840. [PMID: 38158889 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Acellular porcine cornea (APC) has been used in corneal transplantation and treatment of the corneal diseases. Sterilization is a key step before the application of graft, and irradiation is one of the most commonly used methods. In this paper, APC was prepared by the physical freeze-thawing combined with biological enzymes, and the effects of the electron beam (E-beam) and cobalt 60 (60Co-γ) at the dose of 15 kGy on the physicochemical properties, structure, immunogenicity, and biocompatibility of the APC were investigated. After decellularization, the residual DNA was 20.86 ± 1.02 ng/mg, and the α-Gal clearance rate was more than 99%. Irradiation, especially the 60Co-γ, reduced the cornea's transmittance, elastic modulus, enzymatic hydrolysis rate, swelling ratio, and cross-linking degree. Meanwhile, the diameter and spacing of the collagen fibers increased. In the rat subcutaneous implantation, many inflammatory cells appeared in the unirradiated APC, while the irradiated had good histocompatibility, but the degradation was faster. The lamellar keratoplasty in rabbits indicated that compared to the E-beam, the 60Co-γ damaged the chemical bond of collagen to a larger extent, reduced the content of GAGs, and prolonged the complete epithelization of the grafts. The corneal edema was more serious within 1 month after the surgery. After 2 months, the thickness of the APC with the two irradiation methods tended to be stable, but that in the 60Co-γ group became thinner. The pathological results showed that the collagen structure was looser and the pores were larger, indicating the 60Co-γ had a more extensive effect on the APC than the E-beam at 15 kGy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing Li
- Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yajun Sun
- Qingdao Chunghao Tissue Engineering Co., Ltd., Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Haibin Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yu Guo
- Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Guoqun Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wilkie IC. Basement Membranes, Brittlestar Tendons, and Their Mechanical Adaptability. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:375. [PMID: 38927255 PMCID: PMC11200632 DOI: 10.3390/biology13060375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Basement membranes (BMs) are thin layers of extracellular matrix that separate epithelia, endothelia, muscle cells, and nerve cells from adjacent interstitial connective tissue. BMs are ubiquitous in almost all multicellular animals, and their composition is highly conserved across the Metazoa. There is increasing interest in the mechanical functioning of BMs, including the involvement of altered BM stiffness in development and pathology, particularly cancer metastasis, which can be facilitated by BM destabilization. Such BM weakening has been assumed to occur primarily through enzymatic degradation by matrix metalloproteinases. However, emerging evidence indicates that non-enzymatic mechanisms may also contribute. In brittlestars (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea), the tendons linking the musculature to the endoskeleton consist of extensions of muscle cell BMs. During the process of brittlestar autotomy, in which arms are detached for the purpose of self-defense, muscles break away from the endoskeleton as a consequence of the rapid destabilization and rupture of their BM-derived tendons. This contribution provides a broad overview of current knowledge of the structural organization and biomechanics of non-echinoderm BMs, compares this with the equivalent information on brittlestar tendons, and discusses the possible relationship between the weakening phenomena exhibited by BMs and brittlestar tendons, and the potential translational value of the latter as a model system of BM destabilization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iain C Wilkie
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lépine M, Robert MC, Sleno L. Discovery and Verification of Sjögren's Syndrome Protein Biomarkers in Tears by Targeted LC-MRM. J Proteome Res 2024. [PMID: 38682820 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.4c00163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune rheumatic disorder characterized by exocrine gland dysfunction, mainly from the lacrimal and salivary glands. The disease causes severe aqueous dry eye syndrome (DED) and is associated with high rates of complications, including corneal ulceration, scaring, and perforation. Systemic complications may occur as well as a higher risk of developing lymphoma. Diagnosis of SS-DED is often delayed and difficult to establish. With the aim of discovering biomarkers to help discriminate SS-DED patients, a combination of untargeted and targeted LC-MS/MS analyses were performed on tear samples collected on Schirmer strips and subjected to tryptic digestion. Following the analysis of three cohorts and the development of two targeted LC-sMRM methods for the verification of putative biomarkers found in the first cohort of samples, 64 proteins could be linked to Sjögren's syndrome, in the hopes of helping to confirm diagnoses as well as potentially stratifying the severity of disease in these patients. Proteins that were increased in SS-DED showed activation of the immune system and alterations in homeostasis. Several proteases and protease inhibitors were found to be significantly changing in SS-DED, as well as a consistent decrease in specific proteins known to be secreted by the lacrimal gland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maggy Lépine
- University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM), Chemistry Department, PO Box 8888, Downtown Station, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3P8, Canada
- CERMO-FC, Centre d'Excellence de Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines-Fondation Courtois, 141 Avenue du President Kennedy, Montreal, Quebec H2X 3Y7, Canada
| | - Marie-Claude Robert
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de (CR-CHUM), Ophthalmology Department, 900 Saint Denis Street, Montreal, Quebec H2X 0A9, Canada
- CERMO-FC, Centre d'Excellence de Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines-Fondation Courtois, 141 Avenue du President Kennedy, Montreal, Quebec H2X 3Y7, Canada
| | - Lekha Sleno
- University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM), Chemistry Department, PO Box 8888, Downtown Station, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3P8, Canada
- CERMO-FC, Centre d'Excellence de Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines-Fondation Courtois, 141 Avenue du President Kennedy, Montreal, Quebec H2X 3Y7, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Takeda-Okuda N, Yeon SJ, Matsumi Y, Matsuura Y, Hosaka YZ, Tamura JI. Quantitative, compositional, and immunohistochemical analyses of chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, and hyaluronan in internal organs of deer (Cervus nippon centralis and C. n. yesoensis) and cattle (Bos taurus). Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 261:129680. [PMID: 38281521 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Chondroitin sulfate (CS) + dermatan sulfate (DS) and hyaluronan (HA) concentrations and the sulfation patterns of CS-DS in the cartilaginous tissues and alimentary canals of Honshu Sika deer, Hokkaido Sika deer, and cattle were investigated in the present study. CS + DS concentrations were high in cartilaginous tissues, namely, the trachea and scapular cartilage region (5- 12 g*), and low in the alimentary canal (~0.3 g*). HA concentrations were low in cartilaginous tissues and the alimentary canal (~0.2 g*). All tissues mainly contained A-type [HexAGalNAc(4-sulfate)] and C-type [HexAGalNAc(6-sulfate)] CS + DS. The ratios of A-type/C-type CS + DS were 1.2- 3.1 and 0.9- 16.4 in cartilaginous tissues and the alimentary canal, respectively. CS + DS predominantly comprised β-D-GlcA and α-L-IdoA in cartilaginous tissues and the alimentary canal, respectively. The alimentary canal characteristically contained up to 14 % highly sulfated E-type [HexAGalNAc(4,6-disulfate)] and D-type [HexA(2-sulfate)GalNAc(6-sulfate)] CS + DS. The specific distributions of CS and DS were immunohistochemically confirmed using CS + DS-specific antibodies. Although the omasum of cattle is more likely to have higher concentrations of CS + DS and HA, no significant species differences were observed in the concentrations or sulfation patterns of CS + DS among species for Honshu Sika deer, Hokkaido Sika deer, and cattle. (*per 100 g of defatted dry tissue).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Takeda-Okuda
- Department of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Koyamacho-minami 4-101, Tottori 680-8553, Japan
| | - Su-Jung Yeon
- Department of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Koyamacho-minami 4-101, Tottori 680-8553, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Matsumi
- Technical Department, Tottori University, Koyamacho-minami 4-101, Tottori, 680-8550, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Matsuura
- Technical Department, Tottori University, Koyamacho-minami 4-101, Tottori, 680-8550, Japan
| | - Yoshinao Z Hosaka
- Laboratory of Functional Anatomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
| | - Jun-Ichi Tamura
- Department of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Koyamacho-minami 4-101, Tottori 680-8553, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhang BN, Qi B, Dong C, Zhang B, Cheng J, Wang X, Li S, Zhuang X, Chen S, Duan H, Li D, Zhu S, Li G, Cao Y, Zhou Q, Xie L. The role of corneal endothelium in macular corneal dystrophy development and recurrence. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024; 67:332-344. [PMID: 37480470 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2364-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Macular corneal dystrophy (MCD) is a progressive, bilateral stromal dystrophic disease that arises from mutations in carbohydrate sulfotransferase 6 (CHST6). Corneal transplantation is the ultimate therapeutic solution for MCD patients. Unfortunately, postoperative recurrence remains a significant challenge. We conducted a retrospective review of a clinical cohort comprising 102 MCD patients with 124 eyes that underwent either penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) or deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). Our results revealed that the recurrence rate was nearly three times higher in the DALK group (39.13%, 9/23 eyes) compared with the PKP group (10.89%, 11/101 eyes), suggesting that surgical replacement of the corneal endothelium for treating MCD is advisable to prevent postoperative recurrence. Our experimental data confirmed the robust mRNA and protein expression of CHST6 in human corneal endothelium and the rodent homolog CHST5 in mouse endothelium. Selective knockdown of wild-type Chst5 in mouse corneal endothelium (ACsiChst5), but not in the corneal stroma, induced experimental MCD with similar extracellular matrix synthesis impairments and corneal thinning as observed in MCD patients. Mice carrying Chst5 point mutation also recapitulated clinical phenotypes of MCD, along with corneal endothelial abnormalities. Intracameral injection of wild-type Chst5 rescued the corneal impairments in ACsiChst5 mice and retarded the disease progression in Chst5 mutant mice. Overall, our study provides new mechanistic insights and therapeutic approaches for MCD treatment by high-lighting the role of corneal endothelium in MCD development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bi-Ning Zhang
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 250021, China
| | - Benxiang Qi
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 250021, China
| | - Chunxiao Dong
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 250021, China
- Department of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 250021, China
| | - Jun Cheng
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 250021, China
| | - Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 250021, China
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Eye Hospital), Jinan, 250021, China
| | - Suxia Li
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 250021, China
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Eye Hospital), Jinan, 250021, China
| | - Xiaoyun Zhuang
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 250021, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261072, China
| | - Shijiu Chen
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 250021, China
- Department of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Haoyun Duan
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 250021, China
| | - Dewei Li
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 250021, China
| | - Sujie Zhu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Guoyun Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs of Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Glycoscience and Glycotechnology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Yihai Cao
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 17177, Sweden
| | - Qingjun Zhou
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China.
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 250021, China.
| | - Lixin Xie
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China.
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 250021, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Moreno IY, Parsaie A, Gesteira TF, Coulson-Thomas VJ. Characterization of the Limbal Epithelial Stem Cell Niche. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:48. [PMID: 37906057 PMCID: PMC10619699 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.13.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) reside within a LSC niche (LSCN). We recently identified that hyaluronan (HA) is a major constituent of the LSCN, and that HA is necessary for maintaining LESCs in the "stem cell" state, both in vitro and in vivo. Herein, we characterized the LSCN to identify key components of the HA-specific LSCN. Methods The cornea and limbal rim were dissected from mouse corneas, subjected to mRNA extraction, and sequenced using a NextSeq 500 (Illumina) and data processed using CLC Genomics Workbench 20 (Qiagen) and the STRING database to identify key components of the LSCN. Their expression was confirmed by real-time PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the differential expression of key compounds in different corneal cell types were determined with single-cell RNA sequencing. Results We identified that the hyaladherins inter-alpha-inhibitor (IαI), TSG-6 and versican are highly expressed in the limbus. Specifically, HA/HC complexes are present in the LSCN, in the stroma underlying the limbal epithelium, and surrounding the limbal vasculature. For IαI, heavy chains 5 and 2 (HC5 and HC2) were found to be the most highly expressed HCs in the mouse and human limbus and were associate with HA-forming HA/HC-specific matrices. Conclusions The LSCN contains HA/HC complexes, which have been previously correlated with stem cell niches. The identification of HA/HC complexes in the LSCN could serve as a new therapeutic avenue for treating corneal pathology. Additionally, HA/HC complexes could be used as a substrate for culturing LESCs before LESC transplantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Y. Moreno
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Arian Parsaie
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
- College of Natural Science and Mathematics, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Tarsis F. Gesteira
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Thirunavukarasu AJ, Han E, Nedumaran AM, Kurz AC, Shuman J, Yusoff NZBM, Liu YC, Foo V, Czarny B, Riau AK, Mehta JS. Electron beam-irradiated donor cornea for on-demand lenticule implantation to treat corneal diseases and refractive error. Acta Biomater 2023; 169:334-347. [PMID: 37532130 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.07.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
The cornea is the major contributor to the refractive power of the eye, and corneal diseases are a leading cause of reversible blindness. The main treatment for advanced corneal disease is keratoplasty: allograft transplantation of the cornea. Examples include lenticule implantation to treat corneal disorders (e.g. keratoconus) or correct refractive errors. These procedures are limited by the shelf-life of the corneal tissue, which must be discarded within 2-4 weeks. Electron-beam irradiation is an emerging sterilisation technique, which extends this shelf life to 2 years. Here, we produced lenticules from fresh and electron-beam (E-beam) irradiated corneas to establish a new source of tissue for lenticule implantation. In vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo experiments were conducted to compare fresh and E-beam-irradiated lenticules. Results were similar in terms of cutting accuracy, ultrastructure, optical transparency, ease of extraction and transplantation, resilience to mechanical handling, biocompatibility, and post-transplant wound healing process. Two main differences were noted. First, ∼59% reduction of glycosaminoglycans resulted in greater compression of E-beam-irradiated lenticules post-transplant, likely due to reduced corneal hydration-this appeared to affect keratometry after implantation. Cutting a thicker lenticule would be required to ameliorate the difference in refraction. Second, E-beam-sterilised lenticules exhibited lower Young's modulus which may indicate greater care with handling, although no damage or perforation was caused in our procedures. In summary, E-beam-irradiated corneas are a viable source of tissue for stromal lenticules, and may facilitate on-demand lenticule implantation to treat a wide range of corneal diseases. Our study suggested that its applications in human patients are warranted. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Corneal blindness affects over six million patients worldwide. For patients requiring corneal transplantation, current cadaver-based procedures are limited by the short shelf-life of donor tissue. Electron-beam (E-beam) sterilisation extends this shelf-life from weeks to years but there are few published studies of its use. We demonstrated that E-beam-irradiated corneas are a viable source of lenticules for implantation. We conducted in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo comparisons of E-beam and fresh corneal lenticules. The only differences exhibited by E-beam-treated lenticules were reduced expression of glycosaminoglycans, resulting in greater tissue compression and lower refraction suggesting that a thicker cut is required to achieve the same optical and refractive outcome; and lower Young's modulus indicating extra care with handling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arun J Thirunavukarasu
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Evelina Han
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Anu Maashaa Nedumaran
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | | | | | | | - Yu-Chi Liu
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Valencia Foo
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
| | - Bertrand Czarny
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Andri K Riau
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
| | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Verma S, Ogata FT, Moreno IY, Prinholato da Silva C, Marforio TD, Calvaresi M, Sen M, Coulson-Thomas VJ, Gesteira TF. Rational design and synthesis of lumican stapled peptides for promoting corneal wound healing. Ocul Surf 2023; 30:168-178. [PMID: 37742739 PMCID: PMC11092926 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2023.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Lumican is a major extracellular matrix (ECM) component in the cornea that is upregulated after injury and promotes corneal wound healing. We have recently shown that peptides designed based on the 13 C-terminal amino acids of lumican (LumC13 and LumC13C-A) are able to recapitulate the effects of lumican on promoting corneal wound healing. Herein we used computational chemistry to develop peptide mimetics derived from LumC13C-A with increased stability and half-life that are biologically active and non-toxic, thereby promoting corneal wound healing with increased pharmacological potential. METHODS Different peptides staples were rationalized using LumC13C-A sequence by computational chemistry, docked to TGFβRI and the interface binding energies compared. Lowest scoring peptides were synthesized, and the toxicity of peptides tested using CCK8-based cell viability assay. The efficacy of the stapled peptides at promoting corneal wound healing was tested using a proliferation assay, an in vitro scratch assay using human corneal epithelial cells and an in vivo murine corneal debridement wound healing model. RESULTS Binding free energies were calculated using MMGBSA algorithm, and peptides LumC13C and LumC13S5 displayed superior binding to ALK5 compared to the non-stapled peptide LumC13C-A. The presence of the hydrocarbon staple in LumC13C enhances the stability of the α-helical conformation, thereby facilitating more optimal interactions with the ALK5 receptor. The stapled peptides do not present cytotoxic effects on human corneal epithelial cells at a 300 nM concentration. Similar to lumican and LumC13C-A, both C13C and LumC13S5 significantly promote corneal wound healing both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Highly stable and non-toxic stapled peptides designed based on LumC13, significantly promote corneal wound healing. As a proof of principle, our data shows that more stable and pharmacologically relevant peptides can be designed based on endogenous peptide sequences for treating various corneal pathologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sudhir Verma
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Zoology, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Isabel Y Moreno
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Tainah Dorina Marforio
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Calvaresi
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Mehmet Sen
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Segars KL, Trinkaus-Randall V. Glycosaminoglycans: Roles in wound healing, formation of corneal constructs and synthetic corneas. Ocul Surf 2023; 30:85-91. [PMID: 37657650 PMCID: PMC11059988 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2023.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Maintaining the clarity of the cornea is essential for vision, and is achieved through an exquisite array of collagen fibrils and proteoglycans in the corneal stroma. Alterations in the identity and modifications of the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are seen both throughout the normal wound healing process and in pathological conditions resulting in corneal opacity. Understanding these changes has been essential for the development of corneal prostheses and corneal reconstruction. The goal of this review article is to summarize and consolidate research in the alterations seen in glycosaminoglycans in injured and hypoxic states, address the role of proteins that can regulate glycosaminoglycans in the corneal wound healing process, and apply these findings to the context of corneal restoration through reconstruction or the insertion of synthetic devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen L Segars
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Vickery Trinkaus-Randall
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Lin X, Moreno IY, Nguyen L, Gesteira TF, Coulson-Thomas VJ. ROS-Mediated Fragmentation Alters the Effects of Hyaluronan on Corneal Epithelial Wound Healing. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1385. [PMID: 37759785 PMCID: PMC10526416 DOI: 10.3390/biom13091385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A buildup of reactive oxygen species (ROS) occurs in virtually all pathological conditions. Hyaluronan (HA) is a major extracellular matrix component and is susceptible to oxidation by reactive oxygen species (ROS), yet the precise chemical structures of oxidized HA products (oxHA) and their physiological properties remain largely unknown. This study characterized the molecular weight (MW), structures, and physiological properties of oxHA. For this, high-molecular-weight HA (HMWHA) was oxidized using increasing molar ratios of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or hypochlorous acid (HOCl). ROS lead to the fragmentation of HA, with the oxHA products produced by HOCl exhibiting an altered chemical structure while those produced by H2O2 do not. HMWHA promotes the viability of human corneal epithelial cells (hTCEpi), while low MWHA (LMWHA), ultra-LMWHA (ULMWHA), and most forms of oxHA do not. HMWHA and LMWHA promote hTCEpi proliferation, while ULMWHA and all forms of oxHA do not. LMWHA and some forms of oxHA promote hTCEpi migration, while HMWHA does not. Finally, all native forms of HA and oxHA produced by HOCl promote in vivo corneal wound healing, while oxHA produced by H2O2 does not. Taken together, our results show that HA fragmentation by ROS can alter the physiological activity of HA by altering its MW and structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Vivien J. Coulson-Thomas
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, 4401 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Houston, TX 77204-2020, USA; (X.L.); (I.Y.M.); (L.N.); (T.F.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Yam GHF, Pi S, Du Y, Mehta JS. Posterior corneoscleral limbus: Architecture, stem cells, and clinical implications. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 96:101192. [PMID: 37392960 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2023.101192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
The limbus is a transition from the cornea to conjunctiva and sclera. In human eyes, this thin strip has a rich variation of tissue structures and composition, typifying a change from scleral irregularity and opacity to corneal regularity and transparency; a variation from richly vascularized conjunctiva and sclera to avascular cornea; the neural passage and drainage of aqueous humor. The limbal stroma is enriched with circular fibres running parallel to the corneal circumference, giving its unique role in absorbing small pressure changes to maintain corneal curvature and refractivity. It contains specific niches housing different types of stem cells for the corneal epithelium, stromal keratocytes, corneal endothelium, and trabecular meshwork. This truly reflects the important roles of the limbus in ocular physiology, and the limbal functionality is crucial for corneal health and the entire visual system. Since the anterior limbus containing epithelial structures and limbal epithelial stem cells has been extensively reviewed, this article is focused on the posterior limbus. We have discussed the structural organization and cellular components of the region beneath the limbal epithelium, the characteristics of stem cell types: namely corneal stromal stem cells, endothelial progenitors and trabecular meshwork stem cells, and recent advances leading to the emergence of potential cell therapy options to replenish their respective mature cell types and to correct defects causing corneal abnormalities. We have reviewed different clinical disorders associated with defects of the posterior limbus and summarized the available preclinical and clinical evidence about the developing topic of cell-based therapy for corneal disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gary Hin-Fai Yam
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Shaohua Pi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yiqin Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Department of Cornea and External Eye Disease, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-National University of Singapore (NUS) Medical School, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Syed ZA, Milman T, Fertala J, Steplewski A, Fertala A. Corneal Wound Healing in the Presence of Antifibrotic Antibody Targeting Collagen Fibrillogenesis: A Pilot Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13438. [PMID: 37686240 PMCID: PMC10488077 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Highly organized collagen fibrils interlacing with proteoglycans form the crucial architecture of the cornea and facilitate its transparency. Corneal scarring from accidental injury, surgery, or infection alters this highly organized tissue, causing severe consequences, including blindness. There are no pharmacological or surgical methods to effectively and safely treat excessive corneal scarring. Thus, we tested the anticorneal scarring utility of a rationally designed anticollagen antibody (ACA) whose antifibrotic effects have already been demonstrated in nonocular models. Utilizing a rabbit model with an incisional corneal wound, we analyzed ACA's effects on forming collagen and proteoglycan-rich extracellular matrices in scar neotissue. We used microscopic and spectroscopic techniques to quantify these components and measure crucial parameters characterizing the structure and organization of collagen fibrils. Moreover, we analyzed the spatial distribution of collagen and proteoglycans in normal and healing corneas. Our study demonstrated significant changes in the quality and quantity of the analyzed molecules synthesized in scar neotissue. It showed that these changes extend beyond incision margins. It also showed ACA's positive impact on some crucial parameters defining proper cornea structure. This pilot study provides a stepping stone for future tests of therapeutic approaches that target corneal extracellular scar matrix assembly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zeba A. Syed
- Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (Z.A.S.); (T.M.)
| | - Tatyana Milman
- Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (Z.A.S.); (T.M.)
| | - Jolanta Fertala
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Curtis Building, Room 501, 1015 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (J.F.); (A.S.)
| | - Andrzej Steplewski
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Curtis Building, Room 501, 1015 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (J.F.); (A.S.)
| | - Andrzej Fertala
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Curtis Building, Room 501, 1015 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (J.F.); (A.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Gesteira TF, Verma S, Coulson-Thomas VJ. Small leucine rich proteoglycans: Biology, function and their therapeutic potential in the ocular surface. Ocul Surf 2023; 29:521-536. [PMID: 37355022 PMCID: PMC11092928 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2023.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Small leucine rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) are the largest family of proteoglycans, with 18 members that are subdivided into five classes. SLRPs are small in size and can be present in tissues as glycosylated and non-glycosylated proteins, and the most studied SLRPs include decorin, biglycan, lumican, keratocan and fibromodulin. SLRPs specifically bind to collagen fibrils, regulating collagen fibrillogenesis and the biomechanical properties of tissues, and are expressed at particularly high levels in fibrous tissues, such as the cornea. However, SLRPs are also very active components of the ECM, interacting with numerous growth factors, cytokines and cell surface receptors. Therefore, SLRPs regulate major cellular processes and have a central role in major fundamental biological processes, such as maintaining corneal homeostasis and transparency and regulating corneal wound healing. Over the years, mutations and/or altered expression of SLRPs have been associated with various corneal diseases, such as congenital stromal corneal dystrophy and cornea plana. Recently, there has been great interest in harnessing the various functions of SLRPs for therapeutic purposes. In this comprehensive review, we describe the structural features and the related functions of SLRPs, and how these affect the therapeutic potential of SLRPs, with special emphasis on the use of SLRPs for treating ocular surface pathologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sudhir Verma
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, USA; Department of Zoology, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Yasuoka Y. Tissue-specific expression of carbohydrate sulfotransferases drives keratan sulfate biosynthesis in the notochord and otic vesicles of Xenopus embryos. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:957805. [PMID: 36998246 PMCID: PMC10043435 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.957805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Keratan sulfate (KS) is a glycosaminoglycan that is enriched in vertebrate cornea, cartilage, and brain. During embryonic development, highly sulfated KS (HSKS) is first detected in the developing notochord and then in otic vesicles; therefore, HSKS has been used as a molecular marker of the notochord. However, its biosynthetic pathways and functional roles in organogenesis are little known. Here, I surveyed developmental expression patterns of genes related to HSKS biosynthesis in Xenopus embryos. Of these genes, the KS chain-synthesizing glycosyltransferase genes, beta-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (b3gnt7) and beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase (b4galt4), are strongly expressed in the notochord and otic vesicles, but also in other tissues. In addition, their notochord expression is gradually restricted to the posterior end at the tailbud stage. In contrast, carbohydrate sulfotransferase (Chst) genes, chst2, chst3, and chst5.1, are expressed in both notochord and otic vesicles, whereas chst1, chst4/5-like, and chst7 are confined to otic vesicles. Because the substrate for Chst1 and Chst3 is galactose, while that for others is N-acetylglucosamine, combinatorial, tissue-specific expression patterns of Chst genes should be responsible for tissue-specific HSKS enrichment in embryos. As expected, loss of function of chst1 led to loss of HSKS in otic vesicles and reduction of their size. Loss of chst3 and chst5.1 resulted in HSKS loss in the notochord. These results reveal that Chst genes are critical for HSKS biosynthesis during organogenesis. Being hygroscopic, HSKS forms “water bags” in embryos to physically maintain organ structures. In terms of evolution, in ascidian embryos, b4galt and chst-like genes are also expressed in the notochord and regulate notochord morphogenesis. Furthermore, I found that a chst-like gene is also strongly expressed in the notochord of amphioxus embryos. These conserved expression patterns of Chst genes in the notochord of chordate embryos suggest that Chst is an ancestral component of the chordate notochord.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuuri Yasuoka
- Laboratory for Comprehensive Genomic Analysis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
- *Correspondence: Yuuri Yasuoka, ,
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Congenital Corneal Opacity in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: A Case Series. Cornea 2023; 42:344-350. [PMID: 36455075 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to describe the deep phenotype of congenital corneal opacities (CCO) in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2 DS) and to identify putative regions or genes that could explain the CCO. METHODS A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify patients with 22q11.2 DS seen in the ophthalmology clinic of a tertiary referral children's hospital. Thirty patients were identified, with molecular confirmation. Twenty-six did not show structural anterior segment anomalies aside from posterior embryotoxon (n = 4), whereas 4 had bilateral CCO, of which 3 had preoperative images. We reviewed medical, operative, and pathology reports; anterior segment optical coherence tomography; high-frequency ultrasound; histopathologic slides; and genetic testing. To identify putative genes responsible for CCO, chromosomal breakpoints in patients with and without CCO were compared. RESULTS In the 3 patients with preoperative imaging and CCO, a pattern of paracentral corneal opacification with central clearing accompanied by iridocorneal or keratolenticular adhesions was observed. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography and histopathologic images showed central stromal thinning with a residual structure consistent with Descemet membrane. One patient presented at birth with unilateral corneal perforation, suggestive of likely stromal thinning. A comparison of the breakpoints across all cases failed to reveal unique regions or genes in patients with CCO. CONCLUSIONS 22q11.2 DS can rarely be associated with CCO. We describe a consistent pattern of central clearing related to posterior stromal thinning, with or without ICA/KLA. Possible candidate genes for corneal opacification in 22q11.2 DS remain elusive.
Collapse
|
22
|
Wishart TFL, Lovicu FJ. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) of the ocular lens. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 93:101118. [PMID: 36068128 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) reside in most cells; on their surface, in the pericellular milieu and/or extracellular matrix. In the eye, HSPGs can orchestrate the activity of key signalling molecules found in the ocular environment that promote its development and homeostasis. To date, our understanding of the specific roles played by individual HSPG family members, and the heterogeneity of their associated sulfated HS chains, is in its infancy. The crystalline lens is a relatively simple and well characterised ocular tissue that provides an ideal stage to showcase and model the expression and unique roles of individual HSPGs. Individual HSPG core proteins are differentially localised to eye tissues in a temporal and spatial developmental- and cell-type specific manner, and their loss or functional disruption results in unique phenotypic outcomes for the lens, and other ocular tissues. More recent work has found that different HS sulfation enzymes are also presented in a cell- and tissue-specific manner, and that disruption of these different sulfation patterns affects specific HS-protein interactions. Not surprisingly, these sulfated HS chains have also been reported to be required for lens and eye development, with dysregulation of HS chain structure and function leading to pathogenesis and eye-related phenotypes. In the lens, HSPGs undergo significant and specific changes in expression and function that can drive pathology, or in some cases, promote tissue repair. As master signalling regulators, HSPGs may one day serve as valuable biomarkers, and even as putative targets for the development of novel therapeutics, not only for the eye but for many other systemic pathologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tayler F L Wishart
- Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Frank J Lovicu
- Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Penon-Portmann M, Blair DR, Harmatz P. Current and new therapies for mucopolysaccharidoses. Pediatr Neonatol 2023; 64 Suppl 1:S10-S17. [PMID: 36464587 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) are a subset of lysosomal storage diseases caused by deficiencies in the enzymes required to metabolize glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), a group of extracellular heteropolysaccharides that play diverse roles in human physiology. As a result, GAGs accumulate in multiple tissues, and affected patients typically develop progressive, multi-systemic symptoms in early childhood. Over the last 30 years, the treatments available for the MPSs have evolved tremendously. There are now multiple therapies that delay the progression of these debilitating disorders, although their effectiveness varies according to MPS sub-type. In this review, we discuss the basic principle underlying MPS treatment (enzymatic "cross correction"), and we review the three general modalities currently available: hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, enzymatic replacement, and gene therapy. For each treatment type, we discuss its effectiveness across the MPS subtypes, its inherent risks, and future directions. Long term, we suspect that treatment for the MPSs will continue to evolve, and through a combination of early diagnosis and effective management, these patients will continue to live longer lives with improved outcomes for quality of life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monica Penon-Portmann
- UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - David R Blair
- UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, CA, USA; Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Department of Pediatrics, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Paul Harmatz
- UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Peserico A, Barboni B, Russo V, Bernabò N, El Khatib M, Prencipe G, Cerveró-Varona A, Haidar-Montes AA, Faydaver M, Citeroni MR, Berardinelli P, Mauro A. Mammal comparative tendon biology: advances in regulatory mechanisms through a computational modeling. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1175346. [PMID: 37180059 PMCID: PMC10174257 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1175346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
There is high clinical demand for the resolution of tendinopathies, which affect mainly adult individuals and animals. Tendon damage resolution during the adult lifetime is not as effective as in earlier stages where complete restoration of tendon structure and property occurs. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying tendon regeneration remain unknown, limiting the development of targeted therapies. The research aim was to draw a comparative map of molecules that control tenogenesis and to exploit systems biology to model their signaling cascades and physiological paths. Using current literature data on molecular interactions in early tendon development, species-specific data collections were created. Then, computational analysis was used to construct Tendon NETworks in which information flow and molecular links were traced, prioritized, and enriched. Species-specific Tendon NETworks generated a data-driven computational framework based on three operative levels and a stage-dependent set of molecules and interactions (embryo-fetal or prepubertal) responsible, respectively, for signaling differentiation and morphogenesis, shaping tendon transcriptional program and downstream modeling of its fibrillogenesis toward a mature tissue. The computational network enrichment unveiled a more complex hierarchical organization of molecule interactions assigning a central role to neuro and endocrine axes which are novel and only partially explored systems for tenogenesis. Overall, this study emphasizes the value of system biology in linking the currently available disjointed molecular data, by establishing the direction and priority of signaling flows. Simultaneously, computational enrichment was critical in revealing new nodes and pathways to watch out for in promoting biomedical advances in tendon healing and developing targeted therapeutic strategies to improve current clinical interventions.
Collapse
|
25
|
Wan Q, Huang B, Li T, Xiao Y, He Y, Du W, Wang BZ, Dakin GF, Rosenbaum M, Goncalves MD, Chen S, Leong KW, Qiang L. Selective targeting of visceral adiposity by polycation nanomedicine. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 17:1311-1321. [PMID: 36456644 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-022-01249-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is a pandemic health problem with poor solutions, especially for targeted treatment. Here we develop a polycation-based nanomedicine polyamidoamine generation 3 (P-G3) that-when delivered intraperitoneally-selectively targets visceral fat due to its high charge density. Moreover, P-G3 treatment of obese mice inhibits visceral adiposity, increases energy expenditure, prevents obesity and alleviates the associated metabolic dysfunctions. In vitro adipogenesis models and single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that P-G3 uncouples adipocyte lipid synthesis and storage from adipocyte development to create adipocytes that possess normal functions but are deficient in hypertrophic growth, at least through synergistically modulating nutrient-sensing signalling pathways. The visceral fat distribution of P-G3 is enhanced by modifying P-G3 with cholesterol to form lipophilic nanoparticles, which is effective in treating obesity. Our study highlights a strategy to target visceral adiposity and suggests that cationic nanomaterials could be exploited for treating metabolic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qianfen Wan
- Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center and Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Baoding Huang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tianyu Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yang Xiao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ying He
- Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center and Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wen Du
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Branden Z Wang
- Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center and Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gregory F Dakin
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael Rosenbaum
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Shuibing Chen
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kam W Leong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Li Qiang
- Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center and Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Lageveen‐Kammeijer GSM, Kuster B, Reusch D, Wuhrer M. High sensitivity glycomics in biomedicine. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2022; 41:1014-1039. [PMID: 34494287 PMCID: PMC9788051 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Many analytical challenges in biomedicine arise from the generally high heterogeneity and complexity of glycan- and glycoconjugate-containing samples, which are often only available in minute amounts. Therefore, highly sensitive workflows and detection methods are required. In this review mass spectrometric workflows and detection methods are evaluated for glycans and glycoproteins. Furthermore, glycomic methodologies and innovations that are tailored for enzymatic treatments, chemical derivatization, purification, separation, and detection at high sensitivity are highlighted. The discussion is focused on the analysis of mammalian N-linked and GalNAc-type O-linked glycans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bernhard Kuster
- Chair for Proteomics and BioanalyticsTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - Dietmar Reusch
- Pharma Technical Development EuropeRoche Diagnostics GmbHPenzbergGermany
| | - Manfred Wuhrer
- Leiden University Medical CenterCenter for Proteomics and MetabolomicsLeidenThe Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Quinlan RA, Clark JI. Insights into the biochemical and biophysical mechanisms mediating the longevity of the transparent optics of the eye lens. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102537. [PMID: 36174677 PMCID: PMC9638808 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the human eye, a transparent cornea and lens combine to form the "refracton" to focus images on the retina. This requires the refracton to have a high refractive index "n," mediated largely by extracellular collagen fibrils in the corneal stroma and the highly concentrated crystallin proteins in the cytoplasm of the lens fiber cells. Transparency is a result of short-range order in the spatial arrangement of corneal collagen fibrils and lens crystallins, generated in part by post-translational modifications (PTMs). However, while corneal collagen is remodeled continuously and replaced, lens crystallins are very long-lived and are not replaced and so accumulate PTMs over a lifetime. Eventually, a tipping point is reached when protein aggregation results in increased light scatter, inevitably leading to the iconic protein condensation-based disease, age-related cataract (ARC). Cataracts account for 50% of vision impairment worldwide, affecting far more people than other well-known protein aggregation-based diseases. However, because accumulation of crystallin PTMs begins before birth and long before ARC presents, we postulate that the lens protein PTMs contribute to a "cataractogenic load" that not only increases with age but also has protective effects on optical function by stabilizing lens crystallins until a tipping point is reached. In this review, we highlight decades of experimental findings that support the potential for PTMs to be protective during normal development. We hypothesize that ARC is preventable by protecting the biochemical and biophysical properties of lens proteins needed to maintain transparency, refraction, and optical function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roy A Quinlan
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road Science Site, Durham, United Kingdom; Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
| | - John I Clark
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Varkoly G, Hortobágyi TG, Gebri E, Bencze J, Hortobágyi T, Módis L. Expression Pattern of Tenascin-C, Matrilin-2, and Aggrecan in Diseases Affecting the Corneal Endothelium. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11205991. [PMID: 36294311 PMCID: PMC9604752 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11205991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the expression pattern of tenascin-C, matrilin-2, and aggrecan in irreversible corneal endothelial pathology such as pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) and Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), which most frequently require corneal transplantation. Materials and methods: Histological specimens of corneal buttons removed during keratoplasty were investigated in PBK (n = 20) and FECD (n = 9) and compared to healthy control corneas (n = 10). The sections were studied by chromogenic immunohistochemistry (CHR-IHC) and submitted for evaluation by two investigators. Semiquantitative scoring (0 to 3+) was applied according to standardized methods at high magnification (400x). Each layer of the cornea was investigated; in addition, the stroma was subdivided into anterior, middle, and posterior parts for more precise analysis. In case of non-parametric distribution Mann−Whitney test was applied to compare two groups. Kruskal−Wallis and Dunn’s multiple comparisons tests have been applied for comparison of the chromogenic IHC signal intensity among corneal layers within the control and patient groups. Differences of p < 0.05 were considered as significant. Results: Significantly elevated tenascin-C immunopositivity was present in the epithelium and every layer of the stroma in both pathologic conditions as compared to normal controls. In addition, also significantly stronger matrilin-2 positivity was detected in the epithelium; however, weaker reaction was present in the endothelium in PBK cases. Minimal, but significantly elevated immunopositivity could be observed in the anterior and posterior stroma in the FECD group. Additionally, minimally, but significantly higher aggrecan immunoreaction was present in the anterior stroma in PBK and in the posterior stroma in both endothelial disorders. All three antibodies disclosed the strongest reaction in the posterior stroma either in PBK or in FECD cases. Conclusions: These extracellular matrix molecules disclosed up to moderate immunopositivity in the corneal layers in varying extents. Through their networking, bridging, and adhesive abilities these proteins are involved in corneal regeneration and tissue reorganization in endothelial dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gréta Varkoly
- Department of Ophthalmology, Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County Hospitals, 4400 Nyíregyháza, Hungary
| | - Tibor G. Hortobágyi
- Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Enikő Gebri
- Department of Dentoalveolar Surgery and Dental Outpatient Care, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - János Bencze
- Division of Radiology and Imaging Science, Department of Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tibor Hortobágyi
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AB, UK
- Centre for Age-Related Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, 4011 Stavanger, Norway
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Correspondence:
| | - László Módis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
V G, Das M, Zarei M, Vp M, Harohally NV, G SK. Studies on the partial characterization of extracted glycosaminoglycans from fish waste and its potentiality in modulating obesity through in-vitro and in-vivo. Glycoconj J 2022; 39:525-542. [PMID: 35913650 DOI: 10.1007/s10719-022-10077-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are bioactive polysaccharides or glycoconjugates found in the fish waste having significant health impacts. In the present study it has been attempted to extract GAGs from mackerel fish waste through chemical and enzymatic methods. Further, the extracted GAGs (e-GAGs) were analyzed for their composition (uronic acid, total sugar & sulfate), chemical characterization was carried out through techniques of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) & Proton NMR. Further, probable major GAGs present was identified by enzymatic digestion. The biological potential of the extracted glycoconjugate was assessed further through in-vitro and in-vivo studies. In-vitro biological activity showed good lipase inhibition (IC50, 2.6 mg/mL) and bile acid binding properties (dose-dependent). Lipid accumulation lowered in the e-GAGs differentiated 3T3L1 preadipocyte cells have also been observed. The high fat fed animal (in-vivo) study showed ameliorative effect via reducing blood sugar∼1.28↓, lipid profile↓, plasma insulin∼3.5↓, improved glucose tolerance, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, ∼3.0↓). Furthermore, elimination of bile acid (BA) due to GAG-BA binding properties resultant in removal of elevated fecal triglyceride and cholesterol suggesting its lipid lowering activity. Regulation of various proteins linked to carbohydrate and lipid metabolism including fatty acid synthase (FAS), low density lipoproteins receptor (LDL-R), 7α-hydroxylase, glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) and Peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) were significant (p < 0.05) with e-GAGs treatment when compared to HFD group. Thus, the e-GAGs showed potential hypolipidemic activity through elimination of bile acid binding property together with regulating the specific protein related to obesity and its associated complications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geetha V
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, 570 020, Mysore, India
| | - Moumita Das
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, 570 020, Mysore, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Mehrdad Zarei
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, 570 020, Mysore, India
| | - Mayookha Vp
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, 570 020, Mysore, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Nanishankar V Harohally
- Department of Spices and Flavour Sciences, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, 570 020, Mysore, India
| | - Suresh Kumar G
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, 570 020, Mysore, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Basu A, Patel NG, Nicholson ED, Weiss RJ. Spatiotemporal diversity and regulation of glycosaminoglycans in cell homeostasis and human disease. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2022; 322:C849-C864. [PMID: 35294848 PMCID: PMC9037703 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00085.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are long, linear polysaccharides that are ubiquitously expressed on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix of all animal cells. These complex carbohydrates play important roles in many cellular processes and have been implicated in many disease states, including cancer, inflammation, and genetic disorders. GAGs are among the most complex molecules in biology with enormous information content and extensive structural and functional heterogeneity. GAG biosynthesis is a nontemplate-driven process facilitated by a large group of biosynthetic enzymes that have been extensively characterized over the past few decades. Interestingly, the expression of the enzymes and the consequent structure and function of the polysaccharide chains can vary temporally and spatially during development and under certain pathophysiological conditions, suggesting their assembly is tightly regulated in cells. Due to their many key roles in cell homeostasis and disease, there is much interest in targeting the assembly and function of GAGs as a therapeutic approach. Recent advances in genomics and GAG analytical techniques have pushed the field and generated new perspectives on the regulation of mammalian glycosylation. This review highlights the spatiotemporal diversity of GAGs and the mechanisms guiding their assembly and function in human biology and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Basu
- 1Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Neil G. Patel
- 1Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia,2Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Elijah D. Nicholson
- 2Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Ryan J. Weiss
- 1Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia,2Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Wang Y, Cao H. Corneal and Scleral Biomechanics in Ophthalmic Diseases: An Updated Review. MEDICINE IN NOVEL TECHNOLOGY AND DEVICES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medntd.2022.100140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
|
32
|
Kaczor-Kamińska M, Kamiński K, Wróbel M. Heparan Sulfate, Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB and Sulfur Metabolism Disorders. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11040678. [PMID: 35453363 PMCID: PMC9026333 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11040678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucopolysaccharidosis, type IIIB (MPS IIIB) is a rare disease caused by mutations in the N-alpha-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGLU) gene resulting in decreased or absent enzyme activity. On the cellular level, the disorder is characterized by the massive lysosomal storage of heparan sulfate (HS)—one species of glycosaminoglycans. HS is a sulfur-rich macromolecule, and its accumulation should affect the turnover of total sulfur in cells; according to the studies presented here, it, indeed, does. The lysosomal degradation of HS in cells produces monosaccharides and inorganic sulfate (SO42−). Sulfate is a product of L-cysteine metabolism, and any disruption of its levels affects the entire L-cysteine catabolism pathway, which was first reported in 2019. It is known that L-cysteine level is elevated in cells with the Naglu−/− gene mutation and in selected tissues of individuals with MPS IIIB. The level of glutathione and the Naglu−/− cells’ antioxidant potential are significantly reduced, as well as the activity of 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MPST, EC 2.8.1.2) and the level of sulfane sulfur-containing compounds. The direct reason is not yet known. This paper attempts to identify some of cause-and-effect correlations that may lead to this condition and identifies research directions that should be explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Kaczor-Kamińska
- Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 7 Kopernika St., 31-034 Krakow, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-12-422-7400
| | - Kamil Kamiński
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, 2 Gronostajowa St., 30-387 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Maria Wróbel
- Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 7 Kopernika St., 31-034 Krakow, Poland;
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Tan YH, Helms HR, Nakayama KH. Decellularization Strategies for Regenerating Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle Tissues. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:831300. [PMID: 35295645 PMCID: PMC8918733 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.831300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and is associated with approximately 17.9 million deaths each year. Musculoskeletal conditions affect more than 1.71 billion people globally and are the leading cause of disability. These two areas represent a massive global health burden that is perpetuated by a lack of functionally restorative treatment options. The fields of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering offer great promise for the development of therapies to repair damaged or diseased tissues. Decellularized tissues and extracellular matrices are cornerstones of regenerative biomaterials and have been used clinically for decades and many have received FDA approval. In this review, we first discuss and compare methods used to produce decellularized tissues and ECMs from cardiac and skeletal muscle. We take a focused look at how different biophysical properties such as spatial topography, extracellular matrix composition, and mechanical characteristics influence cell behavior and function in the context of regenerative medicine. Lastly, we describe emerging research and forecast the future high impact applications of decellularized cardiac and skeletal muscle that will drive novel and effective regenerative therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Karina H. Nakayama
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Boyraz B, Saatz J, Pompös IM, Gad M, Dernedde J, Maier AKB, Moscovitz O, Seeberger PH, Traub H, Tauber R. Imaging Keratan Sulfate in Ocular Tissue Sections by Immunofluorescence Microscopy and LA-ICP-MS. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2022; 5:853-861. [PMID: 35076201 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.1c01240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Carbohydrate-specific antibodies can serve as valuable tools to monitor alterations in the extracellular matrix resulting from pathologies. Here, the keratan sulfate-specific monoclonal antibody MZ15 was characterized in more detail by immunofluorescence microscopy as well as laser ablation ICP-MS using tissue cryosections and paraffin-embedded samples. Pretreatment with keratanase II prevented staining of samples and therefore demonstrated efficient enzymatic keratan sulfate degradation. Random fluorescent labeling and site-directed introduction of a metal cage into MZ15 were successful and allowed for a highly sensitive detection of the keratan sulfate landscape in the corneal stroma from rats and human tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Burak Boyraz
- Institut für Laboratoriumsmedizin, Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin 13353, Germany.,Freie Universität Berlin, Fachbereich Biologie, Chemie, Pharmazie, Arnimallee 22, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Jessica Saatz
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Richard-Willstätter-Strasse, 11, Berlin 12489, Germany
| | - Inga-Marie Pompös
- Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin 13353, Germany
| | - Michel Gad
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Richard-Willstätter-Strasse, 11, Berlin 12489, Germany.,Department Chemie und Biologie, Universität Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Strasse 2, Siegen 57076, Germany
| | - Jens Dernedde
- Institut für Laboratoriumsmedizin, Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin 13353, Germany
| | - Anna-Karina B Maier
- Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin 13353, Germany
| | - Oren Moscovitz
- Biomolecular Systems Department, Max-Planck-Institute for Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Peter H Seeberger
- Biomolecular Systems Department, Max-Planck-Institute for Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Heike Traub
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Richard-Willstätter-Strasse, 11, Berlin 12489, Germany
| | - Rudolf Tauber
- Institut für Laboratoriumsmedizin, Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin 13353, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Integration of a miniaturized DMMB assay with high-throughput screening for identifying regulators of proteoglycan metabolism. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1083. [PMID: 35058478 PMCID: PMC8776954 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-04805-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Defective biosynthesis or function of proteoglycans causes pathological conditions in a variety of tissue systems. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disorder characterized by progressive cartilage destruction caused by imbalanced proteoglycan synthesis and degradation. Identifying agents that regulate proteoglycan metabolism may benefit the development of OA-modifying therapeutics. High-throughput screening (HTS) of chemical libraries has paved the way for achieving this goal. However, the implementation and adaptation of HTS assays based on proteoglycan measurement remain underexploited. Using primary porcine chondrocytes as a model, we report a miniaturized dimethyl-methylene blue (DMMB) assay, which is commonly used to quantitatively evaluate sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, with an optimized detection range and reproducibility and its integration with HTS. Treatment with TGF-β1 and IL1-α, known as positive and negative proteoglycan regulators, respectively, supported the assay specificity. A pre-test of chemical screening of 960 compounds identified both stimulators (4.48%) and inhibitors (6.04%) of GAG production. Fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis validated the activity of selected hits on chondroitin sulfate expression in an alginate culture system. Our findings support the implementation of this simple colorimetric assay in HTS to discover modifiers of OA or other diseases related to dysregulated proteoglycan metabolism.
Collapse
|
36
|
Giannaccare G, Ghelardini C, Mancini A, Scorcia V, Di Cesare Mannelli L. New Perspectives in the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Pain in Patients with Dry Eye Disease. J Clin Med 2021; 11:108. [PMID: 35011849 PMCID: PMC8745516 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11010108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocular discomfort and eye pain are frequently reported by patients with dry eye disease (DED), and their management remains a real therapeutic challenge for the Ophthalmologist. In DED patients, injury at the level of each structure of the ocular surface can determine variable symptoms, ranging from mild ocular discomfort up to an intolerable pain evoked by innocuous stimuli. In refractory cases, the persistence of this harmful signal is able to evoke a mechanism of maladaptive plasticity of the nervous system that leads to increased pain responsiveness. Peripheral and, subsequently, central sensitization cause nociceptor hyperexcitability and persistent pain perception that can culminate in the paradoxical situation of perceiving eye pain even in the absence of ocular surface abnormalities. Effective therapeutic strategies of these cases are challenging, and new options are desirable. Recently, a theoretical novel therapeutic approach concerns enkephalins thanks to the evidence that eye pain sensations are modulated by endogenous opioid peptides (enkephalins, endorphins and dynorphins). In this regard, new topical agents open up a new theoretical scenario in the treatment of ocular discomfort and eye pain in the setting of DED, such as, for example, a multimolecular complex based on proteins and glycosaminoglycans also containing opiorphin that may assist the physiological pain-relieving mechanism of the eye.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Giannaccare
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.M.); (V.S.)
| | - Carla Ghelardini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health–NEUROFARBA–Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (C.G.); (L.D.C.M.)
| | - Alessandra Mancini
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.M.); (V.S.)
| | - Vincenzo Scorcia
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.M.); (V.S.)
| | - Lorenzo Di Cesare Mannelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health–NEUROFARBA–Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (C.G.); (L.D.C.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Mutoji KN, Sun M, Elliott G, Moreno IY, Hughes C, Gesteira TF, Coulson-Thomas VJ. Extracellular Matrix Deposition and Remodeling after Corneal Alkali Burn in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5708. [PMID: 34071909 PMCID: PMC8199272 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal transparency relies on the precise arrangement and orientation of collagen fibrils, made of mostly Type I and V collagen fibrils and proteoglycans (PGs). PGs are essential for correct collagen fibrillogenesis and maintaining corneal homeostasis. We investigated the spatial and temporal distribution of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and PGs after a chemical injury. The chemical composition of chondroitin sulfate (CS)/dermatan sulfate (DS) and heparan sulfate (HS) were characterized in mouse corneas 5 and 14 days after alkali burn (AB), and compared to uninjured corneas. The expression profile and corneal distribution of CS/DSPGs and keratan sulfate (KS) PGs were also analyzed. We found a significant overall increase in CS after AB, with an increase in sulfated forms of CS and a decrease in lesser sulfated forms of CS. Expression of the CSPGs biglycan and versican was increased after AB, while decorin expression was decreased. We also found an increase in KS expression 14 days after AB, with an increase in lumican and mimecan expression, and a decrease in keratocan expression. No significant changes in HS composition were noted after AB. Taken together, our study reveals significant changes in the composition of the extracellular matrix following a corneal chemical injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazadi N. Mutoji
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (K.N.M.); (M.S.); (G.E.); (I.Y.M.); (T.F.G.)
| | - Mingxia Sun
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (K.N.M.); (M.S.); (G.E.); (I.Y.M.); (T.F.G.)
| | - Garrett Elliott
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (K.N.M.); (M.S.); (G.E.); (I.Y.M.); (T.F.G.)
| | - Isabel Y. Moreno
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (K.N.M.); (M.S.); (G.E.); (I.Y.M.); (T.F.G.)
| | - Clare Hughes
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK;
| | - Tarsis F. Gesteira
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (K.N.M.); (M.S.); (G.E.); (I.Y.M.); (T.F.G.)
- Optimvia, Batavia, OH 45103, USA
| | - Vivien J. Coulson-Thomas
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (K.N.M.); (M.S.); (G.E.); (I.Y.M.); (T.F.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Wang Y, Hu X, Yang K, Zhang Y, Deng S, Wang Z, Li S, Tian L, Jie Y. Clinical outcomes of modified simple limbal epithelial transplantation for limbal stem cell deficiency in Chinese population: a retrospective case series. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:259. [PMID: 33933149 PMCID: PMC8088623 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02345-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To report the clinical outcomes of a novel surgical technique, namely simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET), for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Methods Thirteen patients (13 eyes) with LSCD who underwent autologous (10 eyes) or allogeneic (3 eyes) modified SLET between 2018 and 2021 were enrolled in this study. Grades of symblepharon, corneal conjunctivalization, vascularization, opacification, and visual acuity (VA) were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. In 2 cases, in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and impression cytology (IC) were performed to assess the proliferation and degeneration of limbal tissue. Results At a postoperative follow-up of 6.5±5.3 (range, 2–20) months, 10 (10/13, 76.92%) eyes maintained a successful outcome. The grades of symblepharon, corneal conjunctivalization, vascularization, and opacification were significantly improved after SLET (P<0.05). Two-line improvement in VA was found in 6 (6/10, 60%) eyes of the successful cases. Recurrence of LSCD occurred in 3 (3/13, 23.08%) eyes, and conjunctival cyst occurred in 1 patient. After SLET, the morphology and structure of corneal epithelial cells and epithelial transition around the limbal tissue fragments were detected by IVCM and IC. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the SLET is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of LSCD. The corneal stroma and hAM can provide protection and nutrition for the limbal stem cells (LSCs) without negatively influencing the clinical outcomes. IVCM and IC after SLET can evaluate the effectiveness of surgery and the transition of LSCs and corneal epithelial cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yinghui Wang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiaodan Hu
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Ke Yang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Shijing Deng
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhiqun Wang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Shang Li
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Lei Tian
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Ying Jie
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Yazdanpanah G, Shah R, Raghurama R Somala S, Anwar KN, Shen X, An S, Omidi M, Rosenblatt MI, Shokuhfar T, Djalilian AR. In-situ porcine corneal matrix hydrogel as ocular surface bandage. Ocul Surf 2021; 21:27-36. [PMID: 33895367 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Bioactive substrates can be used therapeutically to enhance wound healing. Here, we evaluated the effect of an in-situ thermoresponsive hydrogel from decellularized porcine cornea ECM, COMatrix (COrnea Matrix), for application as an ocular surface bandage for corneal epithelial defects. METHODS COMatrix hydrogel was fabricated from decellularized porcine corneas. The effects of COMatrix hydrogel on attachment and proliferation of human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) were evaluated in vitro. The effect of COMatrix on the expressions of the inflammatory genes, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 was assessed by RT-PCR. The in-situ application and also repairing effects of COMatrix hydrogel as an ocular bandage was studied in a murine model of corneal epithelial wound. The eyes were examined by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and slit-lamp microscopy in vivo and by histology and immunofluorescence post-mortem. RESULTS In vitro, COMatrix hydrogel significantly enhanced the attachment and proliferation of HCECs relative to control. HCECs exposed to COMatrix had less induced expression of TNF-α (P < 0.05). In vivo, COMatrix formed a uniform hydrogel that adhered to the murine ocular surface after in-situ curing. Corneal epithelial wound closure was significantly accelerated by COMatrix hydrogel compared to control (P < 0.01). There was significant increase in the expression of proliferation marker Ki-67 in wounded corneal epithelium by COMatrix hydrogel compared to control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS COMatrix hydrogel is a naturally derived bioactive material with potential application as an ocular surface bandage to enhance epithelial wound healing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ghasem Yazdanpanah
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ritu Shah
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sri Raghurama R Somala
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Khandaker N Anwar
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Xiang Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Seungwon An
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Meisam Omidi
- Marquette University School of Dentistry, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Mark I Rosenblatt
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tolou Shokuhfar
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ali R Djalilian
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|